Fire at Oak Tree Farm, Slitting Mill

Is the site being monitored and what action, if any, is being taken to suppress the smoke emissions?

Frequent visits have been undertaken by partner organisations both prior to and since the fire started. These include Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency. However, it is the responsibility of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to monitor the burning material and smoke emissions as the cap deteriorates. As a consequence, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service alone have carried out fifty-one site inspections between September 2016 and April 2017. On three occasions during this period, heavy plant machinery was taken onto the site to repair the soil cap that covers the fire, to mitigate the effects of smoke issuing from the stack.

Has there been any assessment of when the fire is likely to burn itself out?

During the site inspections carried out by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, an external thermal scan of the soil cap that covers the fire is carried out. Temperature ranges fluctuate significantly due to many variables, though generally there appears to be a steady reduction in the overall temperature. This said, it is not anticipated that the fire will reach a point where the fire is extinguished to the extent that site clearance could be contemplated until late 2017 or early 2018.

When the fire has burnt itself out will the site be cleared?

Staffordshire County Council obtained an injunction from the High Court on 27 February 2017 requiring the landowner and operator to clear the site when there is confirmation from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service that it is safe to do so.

If the site is cleared, what precautions will be taken bearing in mind that there were rumours that asbestos and other hazardous materials were buried at the site?

The injunction required Staffordshire County Council to draw up a Method Statement for how the site would be cleared by the landowner and operator and the land returned to agricultural use.

Have local residents to the fire been kept in touch with regarding action being taken to control the smoke emissions?

A public meeting was held at Rugeley Fire Station on 19 September 2016. Staff from Rugeley Fire Station, supported by Amanda Milling MP delivered information letters to residents on the Pear Tree estate in late September 2016. Cannock Chase District Council undertook air quality monitoring that was reported on their website as well as providing any relevant updates when appropriate and publishing multi-agency responses to the many questions asked by members of the public. Various multi-agency press statements have been released since the fire began. The situation has not changed for some time in that the site is still being monitored, the fire is still burning but under the watchful eyes of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and remedial work is undertaken to repair the cap as and when necessary.

What further action will the County Council take to prevent a reoccurrence of this type of problem in the future?

The injunction obtained in February 2017 prevents further waste from being imported to Oak Tree Farm. Should this happen, the landowner and operator risk a custodial sentence, seizure of assets or a fine.

Daily Air Monitoring Results

All previous air quality monitoring reports for the fire at Oak Tree Farm are available to view on a separate page.

Air quality results have been consistently low throughout this monitoring period. In light of this, the District Council in consultation with Public Health England has ceased monitoring. The Council will keep the situation under review and will reinstate monitoring should the need arise.

Latest press release issued by Staffordshire County Council on Tuesday 28 February 2017:

Pair receive permanent injunction for unlawful waste site

A high court injunction order has been served on an operative and landowner of an unlawful waste site in Staffordshire – prohibiting them from importing or processing material there.

Staffordshire County Council served interim injunction order on the two men in November 2016.

This latest ruling means that the order is now permanent, and means no material can be brought onto or processed at Oak Tree Farm at Slitting Mill near Rugeley.

The order was served on Denis Ward and Steven Reeves-Morgan, who had been bringing waste onto the site unlawfully. They must not bring waste onto the site, not recycle or burn any waste or disturb the waste which is currently burning.

In addition, they cannot remove any waste unless it is being taken to an authorised site. Any breach of the order could result in a fine, assets being seized or imprisonment. They were also ordered to foot the bill for the clean-up of the site.

Staffordshire County Council’s environment leader Gill Heath said: “We’re pleased to have been able to take positive action against two people who have been operating this unlawful site. Their actions and the fire have caused distress to the local community and have been unacceptable.

“The county council has served this order on behalf of all of the organisations involved in dealing with this matter. We hope now that the two people who have received the orders take this seriously and comply with them.”

Staffordshire County Council was also awarded costs of £18,000.

The injunction comes after a Staffordshire-wide group has been set up to address the issue of illicit waste and unlawful waste sites.

Staffordshire County Council, along with other local authorities, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Staffordshire Police, the Environment Agency and Highways England are calling on residents and businesses in Staffordshire to help in the fight against these practices.

The public are being asked to take the registration number of any vehicles they think may be dumping waste illegally, and contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Previous press statement issued by Staffordshire County Council on 25 November 2016:

High court injunction order served on unlawful waste site operatives

A high court interim injunction order has been served on two operatives of an unlawful waste site in Staffordshire – prohibiting them from importing or processing material there.

Staffordshire County Council served the interim injunction order this week, meaning no material can be brought onto or processed at Oak Tree Farm at Slitting Mill near Rugeley. Waste material has been burning at the site for a number of weeks.

The order was served on Denis Ward and Steven Reeves-Morgan, who had been bringing waste onto the site unlawfully. They must not bring waste onto the site, not recycle or burn any waste or disturb the waste which is currently burning. In addition, they cannot remove any waste unless it is being taken to an authorised site. Any breach of the order could result in a fine, assets being seized or imprisonment. A full order can be made after a trial, which should take place in early 2017.

Staffordshire County Council’s environment leader Gill Heath said: “We’re pleased to have been able to take positive action against two people who have been operating this unlawful site. Their actions and the fire have caused distress to the local community and have been unacceptable. The county council has served this order on behalf of all of the organisations involved in dealing with this matter. We hope now that the two people who have received the orders take this seriously and comply with them.”

In light of the consistently low and reducing levels of particulates observed at both monitoring sites, the decision has now been taken by Cannock Chase District Council to cease air quality monitoring. The district council will continue to keep the situation under review and will be able to reinstate monitoring at short notice if needed.

Latest information update (published on 15 December)

It’s been a while since we updated you on the actions being taken following the fire at Oak Tree Farm in September 2016. There are still a number of organisations actively involved in dealing with this incident and here are the latest updates we would like to share with you.

There have been a number of questions submitted by the general public to all the agencies involved in dealing with the fire that took place at Oak Tree Farm in Slitting Mill on 5 September 2016. This document will provide you with the answers to these questions and provide you with the latest updates about this incident.